Raider Of The Lost Art

Computers, tablets and smartphones are turning handwriting into a lost art. About time, movement disorder raided my “lost art” years ago. While feather quills and inkwells summon a whimsy that appeals to my sense of romance, the coldly technical word processing program eases my burden from fingers to shoulder. After all, with Dystonia even a Post It requires an abundance of effort!

My exercise of graphomotor skills involves my own unique rendition of motor planning: firmly anchoring the writing instrument in my hand, controlling my motions with a stiffly held arm (try writing when your arm’s a tension headache), favoring slow staccato print utilizing a pencil to reduce the chance of a runaway letter. The overriding theme: control, control, control, which is precisely what my handwriting reveals about my personality! Truth be told, graphologists prefer to base their analysis on cursive writing, garnering scant attention over the years and uniquely unqualified to make a searing statement about me.

In my case, the compositional elements that go into lettering – slant, size, loops, smoothness of line – are capriciously determined by the whim of renegade muscles and a confused left hand that’s hardly my first choice of athletes. To this day, I possess an utter lack of knowledge of the proper tilt of paper for my oddly scrawled script. Indeed, this “enforced lefty” finds herself challenged distinguishing right from left absent the instinctive guidance supplied by undisputed “handedness.”

I carry fond memories of my childhood knight in shining armor: a sleek Smith Corona electric typewriter I lugged to school for essay exams and relied on to recopy class notes and pound out homework. I speak of an era before White Out transformed editing, when color typewriter ink cartridges ranked cutting-edge and the apple was merely a fruit.

Hey Ed, Always such a pleasure to hear from you. I’ve been waiting for handwriting to go out of fashion and it seems my time has come (lol)! What can I say, I’m happy as peach pie with my low impact workouts using my iMac and iPad. -Pam-

Pam, you have a charming kind to circumscribe an objective situation very nicely with an eye laughing still nevertheless. I thank to the dystonia that I have thereby become attentive to you and your Blog.

Franz, I’m thankful for the wonderful world of social media intersecting our paths! You take a lovely attitude towards life with an eye towards the positive. Wishing you an abundance of laughter. -Pamela-

Pam,
My long lost friend, I am now known with different aliases. My feeble attempt at some privacy.
Biggy brother, now knows all of us.
You do know it’s me ?? You know me as Joel . I think.
This newsletter is very good !!
@siralexman

I was lucky to have very good handwriting, until I got sick in my 30’s.
I loved writing, because the teachers always commented on mine, and I always got handwriting certificates in elementary school. Those were the old days. I have tremors in my hands now, and my writing can go in any direction. Sometimes if I sit down, and concentrate I can sign my name well enough for it to be read. Forget it in a public place. Sorry you had to carry that typewriter around, but glad you had one. Now you could carry an I pad.
Angela

Angela, The lovely iPad would have certainly transformed my young life! My typewriter may have been a pain to lug around but in so many ways it was also my best friend. I’m just grateful for the changes the technology revolution has wrought in the lives of so many. Now it often seems we can’t imagine our lives without our computers and gadgets. Enjoy your weekend. -Pamela-

Rebecca, And I love your blog! You put yourself out there with honesty and a sense of humor about your struggles, a winning combination that’s helpful to so many coping with our condition. It truly warms my heart to see the optimism emenating from your posts. Keep on doing your thing and plowing forward. -Pam-

You just come up with the best stuff to “write” about our disease… Thinking of you…oh, and BTW…thank you from Coby Franklin…I know the list is not complete…and I have not figured it all out yet… but I saw your name on it…they greatly appreciate your generorsity and your encouragement as do I!

Jan, Lovely to hear from you. It was an absolute joy to join the Coby Franklin fan club, way to go! I have the utmost admiration for your spunk and tenacity. My heartfelt encouragement is eternally yours. -Pam-

Highlights from the Bronx Zoo Walk on Oct. 4, 2015

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Email: ps@dystoniamuse.com

What seems like a lifelong experience with Dystonia began with a "mis-step" when I was 8-1/2. Dystonia may have staged a coup over certain body parts but my heart and soul remain firmly my own. I'm a friend, daughter, sister, creative mind, honorary auntie, fan of the quantum mechanical, hopefully one-day spouse, now also health activist.